How to Make Southern Chicken and Waffles – From the Queen of Soul Food Cooking
Last Updated on February 11, 2026 by Barbara
The Art of the Perfect Soul Food Brunch: Chicken and Waffles
Chicken and waffles might seem like an unlikely pair to the uninitiated, but in my realm of soul food, they are the undisputed champions of the brunch table. This iconic duo perfectly balances crispy fried chicken with fluffy, sweet waffles, creating a flavor profile that that is truly delightful!
As someone who has spent many years perfecting the “101” of soul food, I can tell you that this dish is all about the contrast. It’s the crunch of the seasoned breading meeting the fluffy give of a syrupy waffle. It’s a soulful combination that has evolved from a late-night Harlem staple into a global delicacy.
Whether you’re a long-time fan or a curious newcomer, mastering this soul food staple is a rite of passage for any home cook. In this guide, I will show you how to achieve that golden-brown fry and the perfect waffle batter to ensure your next brunch is one for the history books.
How to Make Chicken and Waffles
Watch Me Make Chicken and Waffles (Video Tutorial)
Step 1: Ingredients for Chicken and Waffles
Chicken Wings, Chicken Legs, Buttermilk, Hot Sauce, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Cayenne Pepper, Black Pepper, All-Purpose Flour, Eggs, Milk, Canola Oil, Sugar, Baking Powder, Salt and Vanilla Extract
Step 2: Preparing the Chicken
Add the buttermilk and hot sauce to the chicken, then cover and allow the chicken to sit in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
Step 3: Making the Batter
To the flour, add the onion powder, salt, black pepper, garlic powder and cayenne pepper then mix until well combined.
Step 4: Battering the Chicken
Remove the chicken from the refrigerator then coat them with the seasoned flour and set them on a wire rack.
Step 5: Fry the Chicken
Heat the oil to a temperature of 350°F then fry the chicken for 12 minutes or until done. After your chicken is done, remove it from the pot then set them on a paper towel to remove the excess oil.
Step 6: Making the Waffle Batter
To make the waffles, in a small bowl add the milk, eggs, canola oil and vanilla then mix until well combined.
In a separate bowl combine the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar then mix until well combined. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients then mix until well combined.
Step 7: Making the Waffles for Chicken and Waffles
To the preheated waffle iron, add the batter and cook the waffles. After the waffles are done your chicken and waffle are ready to serve.
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Ingredients
- Chicken Wings and Legs
- 2 Cups Buttermilk
- 1-1/2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
- 3 Tbsps Hot Sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp Onion Powder
- 1/2 Tbsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Cayenne Pepper
- 1 Tbsp Black Pepper
- 1 Tbsp Salt
- For the Waffles
- 2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
- 2 Eggs
- 1-1/4 Cups Milk
- 1/2 Cup Canola Oil
- 3 Tbsps Sugar
- 4 tsps Baking Powder
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 2 tsps Vanilla Extract
Method
- Add the buttermilk and hot sauce to the chicken then cover and allow it to sit in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- To the flour, add the onion powder, salt, pepper, garlic powder and cayenne pepper then mix until well combined.
- Remove the chicken from the refrigerator then coat them with the seasoned flour and set them on a wire rack.
- Heat the oil to a temperature of 350°F then fry the chicken for 12 minutes or until done.
- After your chicken is done, remove them from the pot then set them on a paper towel to remove the excess oil.
- To make the waffles, in a small bowl add the milk, eggs, canola oil and vanilla then mix until well combined.
- In a separate bowl combine the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar then mix until well combined.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients then mix well.
- To the preheated waffle iron, add the batter and cook the waffles.
- After the waffles are done your chicken and waffle are ready to serve.
Nutrition
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